United States Patent [19J
`Bienz et al.
`
`I IIIII IIIIIIII Ill lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll 111111111111111111
`US005859509A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`5,859,509
`Jan. 12, 1999
`
`[54] ADJUSTABLE SPEED CONTROL FOR
`CHILDREN'S RIDE-ON VEHICLE
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Brian Bienz, Orchard Park; Patrice M.
`Neaves, West Falls, both of N.Y.
`
`[73] Assignee: Mattel, Inc., El Segundo, Calif.
`
`[21]
`
`Appl. No.: 777,629
`
`[22]
`
`Filed:
`
`Dec. 31, 1996
`
`[51]
`[52]
`
`[58]
`
`Int. Cl.6
`.............................. H02P 1/16; A63H 29/24
`U.S. Cl. .......................... 318/139; 318/261; 318/287;
`388/851; 388/838; 388/840; 446/463; 446/448;
`180/338
`Field of Search ..................................... 446/465, 460,
`446/462, 463, 466, 469, 448, 447; 180/338,
`333, 6.5, 22; 318/139, 256, 261, 280, 442,
`287, 288, 289; 388/851, 838, 839, 840
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3,665,502
`4,246,521
`4,558,263
`4,562,893
`4,639,646
`4,736,648
`5,229,703
`
`5/1972 Means ....................................... 318/17
`1/1981 Soeda et al. ... ... ... ... ... .... ... ... ... 388/820
`12/1985 Harris et al. .
`1/1986 Cunard ..................................... 180/6.5
`1/1987 Harris et al. ............................ 318/139
`4/1988 Perego .
`7/1993 Harris .......................................... 320/2
`
`5,270,624 12/1993 Lautzenhiser .
`5,350,982
`9/1994 Seib .
`5,497,056
`3/1996 Kurland et al. .
`
`Primary Examiner-John W. Cabeca
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Kalisch, Hartwell, Dickinson,
`McCormack & Heuser
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An adjustable speed control for use on a children's ride-on
`vehicle, where the speed control includes a switch assembly
`interposed between the battery and the motor of the vehicle.
`The switch assembly is selectively operable to connect the
`battery to the motor in one of a number of speed
`configurations, including a first speed configuration and a
`second speed configuration. An actuator is connected to the
`switch assembly and manipulable by a user to allow the user
`to operate the switch assembly to select a particular speed
`configuration from among the number of speed configura(cid:173)
`tions. In one embodiment, a diode is disposed in series
`between the motor and battery in one of the speed configu(cid:173)
`rations to provide a relatively current independent voltage
`drop between the motor and the battery. In an alternative
`embodiment, a childproof cover is disposed proximal to the
`actuator. The cover has a first configuration in which it
`substantially prevents a child from manipulating the actuator
`to operate the switch assembly to alter the selected particular
`speed configuration.
`
`18 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
`
`30
`
`\
`
`38
`
`-1-24
`
`36
`
`32
`
`42
`
`

`

`Fig. 2a
`
`30
`
`\
`
`-+-24
`
`36
`
`32
`
`C ...... D
`
`Fig. 2b
`
`ROTARY SWITCH SEQUENCE
`s
`B-2 C-3 D-4
`A-1
`PEED
`1-
`-LOW
`2-
`·MED
`HIGH
`3-
`
`• • • • •
`• •
`
`Fig. 1
`
`/10
`
`12
`
`38
`
`42
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`~
`
`Ul
`....
`00
`Ul
`\C
`....
`
`Ul = \C
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Fig. 5
`
`Jan. 12, 1999
`
`Sheet 2 of 3
`
`5,859,509
`
`76
`
`;
`
`12
`
`60
`56
`
`Fig.3a
`
`+
`___.__
`-==- 6V
`
`Fig.3b
`
`+
`___.__
`6V
`
`Fig.3c
`
`+
`____,__
`6V
`
`6V
`
`6V
`
`4.5V
`
`4.5V
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Jan. 12, 1999
`Jan.12,1999
`
`Sheet 3 of 3
`Sheet3 0f3
`
`5,859,509
`5,859,509
`
`Fig. 4
`/ - "
`I
`\
`/
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`
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`I /
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`It
`
`
`
`54
`
`

`

`5,859,509
`
`1
`ADJUSTABLE SPEED CONTROL FOR
`CHILDREN'S RIDE-ON VEHICLE
`
`BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to children's ride-on
`vehicles, and more particularly to an adjustable speed con(cid:173)
`trol for such a vehicle.
`Children's ride-on vehicles typically utilize one or two
`small electric motors powered by a 6 or 12-volt battery.
`Depending on the power output capability of the motors and
`how they are connected to the battery, various speeds can be
`achieved by the vehicle. For instance, Power Wheels™
`currently manufactures three different series vehicles: the 15
`Toddler series, which are suitable for children 1-3 years old
`and travel at a maximum of 1 mph; the Preschool series,
`which are suitable for children 1 ¥2-6 years old and have a
`maximum speed of 2.5-3.5 mph; and, the Advanced Series,
`which are suitable for children 3-7 years old and have 20
`speeds up to 5 mph.
`In children's ride-on vehicles, the suitability for a child of
`a given age is primarily determined by the speed capability
`of the vehicle. With young children, slower vehicles are
`necessary for safe operation. As children mature and become 25
`more capable drivers, they are able to operate faster vehicles
`with safety and confidence. In fact, vehicles for older
`children must offer higher speeds to maintain the children's
`interest.
`Due to their complexity, children's ride-on vehicles are a
`relatively expensive toy. It is therefore important for such a
`vehicle to offer the longest possible useful life. In the past,
`useful life has primarily been limited by the maximum speed
`of the vehicle. A high speed vehicle cannot be used by a
`toddler and a low speed vehicle is not sufficiently entertain- 35
`ing for an older child. Although ride-on vehicles have been
`produced with a high and a low speed and including a high
`speed lock-out capability, the lock out mechanism is rather
`cumbersome to use, and only two speeds are offered.
`Preferably, for maximum utility, a children's ride-on vehicle 40
`should have at least three selectable maximum speeds.
`Furthermore, it should be quick and easy for a parent to
`select the vehicles maximum speed.
`With the above problems in mind, it is a general object of
`the present invention to provide an adjustable speed control 45
`for a children's ride-on vehicle which can selectively limit
`the maximum speed of the vehicle.
`It is another object of the present invention to provide
`such an adjustable speed control which can only be operated
`by an adult.
`One more object of the present invention is to provide an
`adjustable speed control that is simple to manufacture and
`reliable in operation.
`An additional object is to provide an adjustable speed
`control which presents a voltage to the motor or motors that
`is relatively independent of current draw.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide an
`adjustable speed control that offers three different speed
`configurations.
`These and other objects are satisfied by providing an
`adjustable speed control for use on a children's ride-on
`vehicle, where the speed control includes a switch assembly
`interposed between the battery and the motor of the vehicle.
`The switch assembly is selectively operable to connect the 65
`battery to the motor in one of a number of speed
`configurations, including a first speed configuration and a
`
`5
`
`2
`second speed configuration. An actuator is connected to the
`switch assembly and manipulable by a user to allow the user
`to operate the switch assembly to select a particular speed
`configuration from among the number of speed configura-
`tions. In one embodiment of the invention, a diode is
`disposed in series between the motor and battery in one of
`the speed configurations to provide a relatively current
`independent voltage drop between the motor and the battery.
`In an alternative embodiment, a childproof cover is disposed
`10 proximal to the actuator. The cover has a first configuration
`in which it substantially prevents a child from manipulating
`the actuator to operate the switch assembly to alter the
`selected particular speed configuration.
`Many other features, advantages and additional objects of
`the present invention will become manifest to those versed
`in the art upon making reference to the detailed description
`which follows and the accompanying sheets of drawings in
`which preferred embodiments incorporating the principles
`of this invention are disclosed as illustrative examples only.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ride-on vehicle con(cid:173)
`structed according to the present invention.
`FIG. 2a is a schematic view of an adjustable speed control
`according to the present invention.
`FIG. 2b is a table showing the contact pattern of a switch
`for use with the present invention.
`FIGS. 3a---c show schematics of three different speed
`30 configurations according to the present invention.
`FIG. 4 is an exploded view of an adjustable speed control.
`FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the speed control of
`FIG. 4 in an assembled state.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`
`A ride-on vehicle constructed according to the present
`invention is shown generally at 10 in FIG. 1. Vehicle 10
`includes a body 12, wheels 14 and a seat 16. The rear two
`wheels are each driven by a motor, illustrated schematically
`at 20, 22 in FIG. 2a. Motors 20, 22 are powered by a 6 or
`12 volt battery pack 24, typically disposed under the hood of
`the vehicle, and illustrated schematically in FIG. 2a.
`Mounted to body 12 is an adjustable speed control 30, as
`shown schematically in FIG. 2a. Adjustable speed control 30
`includes a switch assembly 32 disposed between motors 20,
`22 and battery pack 24. Switch assembly 32 is designed to
`switch the connection between the battery and motor into
`50 one of three speed configurations. As illustrated in FIG. 2a
`with the speed control, a foot pedal switch 34 is the primary
`on/off control for the rider and is mounted in the vehicle to
`appear as a gas pedal. Switch 34 is simply an on/off switch
`and interrupts the current flow to stop the car. A direction
`55 control switch 36 is configured to switch the polarity of the
`voltage to the motors to provide a reverse for the vehicle. A
`resistor 38 is disposed in parallel with the motors to provide
`dynamic braking by offering a current path between the
`terminals of the motors when they are disconnected from the
`60 battery. This increases the resistance of the motors to free
`spinning and therefore slows the vehicle by braking the
`wheels.
`In the first speed configuration of the adjustable speed
`control, shown in FIG. 3a, the motors are wired in parallel
`to the battery. This results in each battery receiving the full
`voltage from the battery and provides the highest speed for
`the vehicle. As illustrated in the contact table of FIG. 2b, the
`
`

`

`5,859,509
`
`3
`high speed circuit connection of FIG. 3a is achieved by
`connecting contacts A and 1, contacts C and 3 and contacts
`D and 4.
`A second, medium speed configuration is shown in FIG.
`3b. In this configuration, contacts A and 1 and contacts C and 5
`3 are connected and a diode 40 and a resistor 42 are inserted
`in series between the battery and the motors. The diode and
`resistor are chosen to provide a voltage drop of about 1.5
`volts at a typical current load of 10 amps. As will be
`understood by those of skill in the art, the voltage drop
`across the diode will be essentially independent of current.
`Thus, in grass or going uphill, when the greatest power is
`required and the current is highest, the motor receives
`approximately the same voltage as when running on a
`smooth surface. If a resistor were used as the primary speed 15
`regulator, the voltage to the motor would vary dramatically
`with the current load. For instance, with a 0.1 ohm resistor,
`the voltage drop would be 1 volt at the nominal current of
`10 amps. However, under a heavy load, i.e., 30 amps, the
`resistor would have a voltage drop of approximately 3 volts. 20
`In the preferred embodiment, the resistor is used in con(cid:173)
`junction with the diode to tune the voltage drop to the
`desired 1.5 volts at the nominal load of 10 amps. Without the
`resistor, the drop across the diode will be somewhat less than
`1 volt, which would result in a higher speed than desired. 25
`Although two or more diodes could be used in series
`depending on the desired voltage drop, one diode is suffi(cid:173)
`cient in the preferred embodiment.
`A third, low speed configuration is shown in FIG. 3c. In
`the low speed configuration, the motors are wired in series
`with each other and the battery, i.e., switch contacts B and
`2 and contacts D and 4 are connected. This provides each
`motor with a voltage of approximately one-half of the
`battery voltage. For instance, with the 6-volt battery of the
`preferred embodiment, each motor receives approximately 3
`volts, resulting in a vehicles speed approximately half that of
`the high speed configuration. Note that in the medium speed
`configuration, each motor receives about 4.5 volts, which is
`halfway between the high and low speed configurations.
`Those of skill in the art will understand that a heavy
`rheostat could be used in place of switch assembly 32 to
`provide substantially continuously variable speed control.
`However, as discussed above, resistive speed controls have
`the disadvantage of a load dependent voltage drop.
`Moreover, a rheostat of the required power capacity would
`be relatively bulky and expensive.
`Note that the foot pedal switch 34 and direction control
`switch 36 are disposed in the vehicle for easy access and
`manipulation by the rider. However, because the primary
`purpose of the speed control is to set the maximum speed of
`the vehicle to a velocity appropriate for the rider's age,
`switch assembly 32 is preferably operable only by an adult.
`In the preferred embodiment, a tamper-resistant mecha(cid:173)
`nism is used with switch assembly 32 to prevent the rider
`from inappropriately altering the maximum speed selection.
`In particular, as shown in FIG. 4, switch assembly 32 takes
`the form of a rotary switch 50. Rotary switch 50 has a shaft
`52 rotatable to create the three different contact connection
`configurations, as described above and illustrated in the 60
`contact table of FIG. 2. During assembly, the shaft of the
`rotary switch is pushed up through a hole in the body, where
`it is retained by snaps 54. See FIG. 5.
`An actuator 56 with a central region 58 and an outer
`annular region 60 is pressed onto shaft 52 to act as a knob 65
`to allow a user to rotate the shaft to select between the
`various speed configurations. Central region 58 includes a
`
`4
`slot 62, and three different speed indications 64a, 64b and
`64c are preferably marked on the upper side of annular
`region 60.
`A childproof cover in the form of a cap 66 is disposed over
`central region 58 of actuator 56. Cap 66 is sized to fit over
`and rotate freely on the central region. The cap further
`includes a central slot 68 and an outer retaining flange 70. By
`inserting a key in the form of a coin or other similar object
`through slot 68 and into slot 62, the user is able to rotate the
`10 actuator by turning the cap. Without the key, the cover
`simply rotates over the actuator and it is not possible to
`change the setting of the switch.
`Cap 66 is retained in place over actuator 56 by an outer
`wall 72. The cap is received in a hole 74 in the outer wall and
`flange 70 engages the perimeter of the hole to prevent the
`cap from passing therethrough. Outer wall 72 is also pro-
`vided with a viewing hole 76 disposed over the annular outer
`portion through which the speed indications can be seen.
`Thus, it is not possible to remove the cap to operate the
`actuator. However, when the key is installed, the actuator
`can be rotated to change the speed configuration and an
`indicator corresponding to the selected configuration is
`visible through hole 76. This also allows the parent to
`visually verify quickly the current speed configuration. This
`is important because the vehicle may be used by several
`different children, and each might require a different speed
`setting.
`Although a keyed child-proof cover is illustrated, it
`should be apparent that any cover operable only by an adult
`should be suitable for use with the present invention. For
`instance, the caps used on child-proof medicine bottles,
`some of which must be pressed down or squeezed to operate,
`may be used in place of cap 66. Because the primarily
`purpose of the adjustable speed control is to protect the
`youngest riders, it is most important that they not be able to
`alter the selected speed configuration. It is obviously a much
`less serious problem if an older rider slows down the vehicle
`than if a young rider speeds it up. Because the tamper-proof
`mechanism only needs to prevent unauthorized changes by
`young riders it only needs to be sufficiently child-resistant to
`prevent manipulation by a young rider.
`It should be apparent that it is not necessary to use a rotary
`switch or control with the present invention. In particular, it
`45 is possible to implement the present invention by utilizing
`rocker or toggle switches. Such switches could be mounted
`in the body under annular region 60 and activated by one or
`more downwardly depending members connected to the
`annular region that would engage the rockers or toggles on
`50 the switches. Although it is possible to implement the
`invention such a fashion, the rotary switch described is
`preferred for simplicity and reliability.
`While the present invention has been shown and
`described with reference to the foregoing preferred
`55 embodiment, it is to be understood by those of skill in the art
`that other changes in form and detail may be made therein
`without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention
`as defined in the appended claims.
`It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:
`1. An adjustable speed control for use on a children's
`ride-on vehicle with a motor and a battery, the speed control
`comprising:
`a switch assembly interposed between the battery and the
`motor, the switch assembly being selectively operable
`to connect the battery to the motor in one of a number
`of speed configurations, including a first speed con-
`figuration and a second speed configuration; and
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`

`

`5,859,509
`
`5
`an actuator connected to the switch assembly and manipu(cid:173)
`lable by a user to allow the user to operate the switch
`assembly to select a particular speed configuration from
`among the number of speed configurations, where, in
`the second speed configuration, a diode is disposed in 5
`series between the battery and the motor so that current
`flowing between the battery and the motor flows pri(cid:173)
`marily through the diode, to thereby provide a rela(cid:173)
`tively current-independent voltage drop between the
`motor and the battery, and where, in the first speed 10
`configuration, current flowing between the battery and
`the motor bypasses the diode.
`2. The adjustable speed control of claim 1, further includ(cid:173)
`ing a childproof cover disposed proximal to the actuator, the
`control having a first configuration in which the cover 15
`substantially prevents a child from manipulating the actuator
`to operate the switch assembly to alter the selected particular
`speed configuration.
`3. The adjustable speed control of claim 2, where the
`actuator is rotatable to operate the switch assembly and the
`cover is rotatably disposed over the actuator in the first
`configuration and rotatably coupled to the actuator in a
`second configuration.
`4. The adjustable speed control of claim 3, where the
`cover and the actuator are configured to receive a key, and,
`when the key is received, the cover is rotatably connected to
`the actuator to allow the switch assembly to be operated by
`rotating the cover.
`5. The adjustable speed control of claim 1, where the
`switch assembly provides a third speed configuration.
`6. The adjustable speed control of claim 5, where the
`vehicle includes two motors and the first speed configuration
`connects the motors in parallel with each other to the battery
`and the third speed configuration connects the motors in
`series with each other to the battery.
`7. The adjustable speed control of claim 6, where the
`motors are connected in parallel with each other and in series
`with the diode to the battery in the second speed configu-
`ration.
`8. The adjustable speed control of claim 1, further com- 40
`prising a visual indicator of the speed configuration selected.
`9. The adjustable speed control of claim 8, where the
`visual indicator is located on the actuator.
`10. An adjustable speed control for use on a children's
`ride-on vehicle with a motor and a battery, the speed control 45
`comprising:
`
`30
`
`6
`a switch assembly interposed between the battery and the
`motor, the switch assembly being selectively operable
`to connect the battery to the motor in one of a number
`of speed configurations, including one high speed con(cid:173)
`figuration and one low speed; and
`an actuator connected to the switch assembly and manipu(cid:173)
`lable by a user to allow the user to operate the switch
`assembly to select a particular speed configuration from
`among the number of speed configurations; and
`a childproof cover disposed proximal to the actuator, the
`cover having a first configuration in which the cover
`substantially prevents a child from manipulating the
`actuator to operate the switch assembly to alter the
`selected particular speed configuration.
`11. The adjustable speed control of claim 10, where the
`number of speed configurations includes a third, medium
`speed configuration.
`12. The adjustable speed control of claim 10, where in the
`medium speed configuration, a diode is disposed in series
`20 between the motor and the battery.
`13. The adjustable speed control of claim 11, where the
`vehicle includes two motors and the first speed configuration
`connects the motors in parallel with each other to the battery
`and the third speed configuration connects the motors in
`25 series with each other to the battery.
`14. The adjustable speed control of claim 12, where the
`vehicle includes two motors connected in parallel with each
`other and in series with the diode to the battery in the
`medium speed configuration.
`15. The adjustable speed control of claim 10, where the
`actuator is rotatable to operate the switch assembly and the
`cover is rotatably disposed over the actuator in the first
`configuration and rotatably coupled to the actuator in a
`second configuration.
`16. The adjustable speed control of claim 15, where the
`cover and the actuator are configured to receive a key, and,
`when the key is received, the cover is rotatably connected to
`the actuator to allow the switch assembly to be operated by
`rotating the cover.
`17. The adjustable speed control of claim 10, further
`comprising a visual indicator of the speed configuration
`selected.
`18. The adjustable speed control of claim 17, wherein the
`visual indicator is located on the actuator.
`
`35
`
`* * * * *
`
`